媽祖與觀音
Throughout Taiwan there are around 36,000 gods and goddesses which people pay respects to either daily or on special holidays.
全台灣約有36,000位神明，人們每天或在特殊節日都會祭拜這些神明。
around(adv.)大約=approximately=aboutpay respects to向～致敬either A or B不是A就是Bdaily(adj.)每天的=on a daily basis
Despite this huge number of deities, there are several that are extremely popular across the Taiwanese population.
儘管神明數量眾多，但有幾位非常受到台灣民眾的歡迎。
despite(prep.)儘管=in spite ofextremely(adv.)非常、極端、極其densely populated人口稠密的sparsely populated人口稀疏的
Two of the most popular goddesses are Mazu and Guanyin.
其中兩位最受歡迎的女神是媽祖和觀音。
Mazu has been called the most popular deity in Taiwan, with more than 800 temples, large and small, devoted to her across Taiwan.
媽祖被譽為台灣最受歡迎的神明，台灣各地有800多座大大小小的廟宇供奉著祂。
temple(n.)廟宇、寺院devoted to供奉
She is the “Goddess of the Sea” in folk beliefs brought to Taiwan by settlers from Fujian, China.
在由中國福建移民傳入至台灣的民間信仰中，媽祖是「海上女神」。
folk belief民間信仰in the belief that…相信～She acted in the belief that she was doing good.她這麼做是因為她認定自己是在做好事beyond belief令人難以置信Dissatisfaction with the government has grown beyond belief.對政府的不滿已經達到令人難以置信的程度
Her temple festival held in the third month of the lunar year is one of the most popular for all deities in Taiwan.
而每年農曆三月舉行的媽祖遶境是台灣所有神明遶境中最受歡迎的。
festival(n.)節日、節慶
Guanyin, meanwhile, is a goddess that came to Taiwan through Chinese Buddhism.
而觀音則是透過中國佛教傳到台灣的女神。
meanwhile(adv.)同時=in the meantime
She is known as the “Goddess of Mercy,” whose image can be found in many Taiwanese temples and homes.
祂被稱為「觀世音菩薩」，在許多台灣的廟宇和家庭中都能看到祂的神像。
be known as…以～聞名ask for mercy祈求寬恕=beg for mercy=plead for mercyshow no mercy to…對～不講仁慈at the mercy of…任～擺佈We were at the mercy of the weather.我們受制於天氣be grateful(thankful) for small mercies為情況不太壞而感到慶幸
As for gods, two of the most popular are Guan Gong and the Jade Emperor.
至於男神，最受歡迎的兩位是關公和玉皇大帝。
jaded(adj.)疲憊的
Guan Gong is honored in Taoism for being righteous and loyal.
關公因其正直和忠誠受到道教的尊崇。
honor(v.)向⋯⋯致敬righteous(adj.)正義的、正直的be loyal to…對～忠誠
His image can be found in many temples, shops and restaurants across Taiwan.
在台灣的許多廟宇、商店和餐廳都可以看到祂的神像。
omnipresent(adj.)無所不在的
The Jade Emperor is the creator of the universe in Taoism.
玉皇大帝在道教中是宇宙的創造者。
creator(n.)發明者、創造者=innovator=inventor
While there are few specific temples dedicated to him, many Taiwanese pay respects to him daily with offerings of incense at home.
雖然很少有專門供奉玉皇大帝的廟宇，但許多台灣人每天都會在家中上香祭拜玉皇大帝。
offerings(n.)供品incense(n.)香